New-York tribune., 1887-05-18
TAR IND FEATHERS AT PARK RIDGE

HOW THE CHRISTIAN PEOPLE OF THAT TOWN
THREATEN TO DEAL WITH TWO EvANGELisrs.
The citizens OF Park Ridge, N j., with James Leach
the stationer Nassaus, this city. at their head
have determined to rid that little OF two
trio evangelists, the Rev. Messrs. switzer and
MDason, labOring in something OF salvation
Army style TO convert 1t to red-shirted state oi
righteousness professional whitewasher has
been engaged, several barrels OF tar have been
bought two feather ttresses have been ripped up
and if the reyivaists do not beat retreat before to-
morrow night they will be treaed-so StAuoner Leach
and other Park Rdgians say-tO an old-fashioned
coat OF tar and feathsrs trimmed as neatly as any
ante belium abolitonists down in Georgia or South
Carolina
The Rev. Messrs Svitzer and Mrason argne on the
contrary that they are evaDgelizing delegates and
castigators oi false doctrine generally, and nave
call TO convert and denounce whom they p,aase IN
Park Ridge Aud they say turtner that they lave no
intention at present OF stopping IN the work Ihey
will mold the regulas Thursday meeting II he un-
converted citizens with their tar and leather
apparatus, tho evan gests will try TO accommodate
The trouble between Stationer Leach and the two
evangelists IS long story. Mr. Leach IS the tupern
epdent of the Congregational Sunday at Park
Ridge and prominent member, too, OF the church
The Rev. Mr.. Switzer was once the Congreg itiohai
pastor. He and Mr. Leach had some differences ana
the pastor resigned: He turned Baptist, as the
Leach party say, and then went into a new Chnrch
OF God something OF that sort OF MS own. FROM
this platform his references to former parshoners
have been anything but complimentary. lew weeks
ago the Rev. Mr. Switzer got an ally from Newark III
tie person Of the Rev. Mr. Mnason Frequent meetings
we're held in tent across the street from the Congre-
gational Church. Last Sunday night Superlnten-
cent Leach dropped in for few minutes, crowd
gatbeied outside Mr.. Mnason preaching ser
mon He called Mr. Leach hard names and said that
he had been bringing the young Of the town up as
devils Tor the last thirteen years.
Mr. Leach lost his temper finally under the tongue
lashing as he thought it and got up and called the
Rev. Mi Mnason q liar and n blackguard' lie
mounted the platform and pulled the Rev. Mr'
Mnason's beard and then knocked the Rev. MI.
Svitzer over. The crowd came in and began to
hustle the Rev. Mr. MnasOn toward the street Gut
in the street the mob swelled and the Rey Mr..
Mnason was rushed of toward the nearest millpond.
| duckng was imminent, when two or three OF the
mUe conservative citizens took hand and got the
unhappy revivast of promise that he would
| leave the town.
| Mr. Leach did not come to New-York on Monday,
but was in his Nassau-sti shop yesterday afternoon.
He SAID that he had nothing 10 adj TO the facts as
given here. He had not thought OF seeking redress
against the cergymen by bringing suit in the Bergen
County Court The indignation against the revival
ists Mr.. Leach added was something terrific. Ihey
were lucky to get of with their lives last Sunday
II they didn't go. nothing could prevent their being
| tarred tomorrow night.